Beauty of the Skies – de Havilland DH91 Albatross

This monogram about the de Havilland DH91 Albatross tells the full story of one of the de Havilland’s most beautiful aircraft. The book was long overdue. It gives the reader an insight in the development, test work, and operation of the de Havilland DH91 Albatross, of which only seven were built. The appearance of the aircraft left an everlasting impression on the viewers and all fell in love with the beautiful lines of this aircraft. It was unbelievable that in the time of the upcoming all-metal American airliners that this wooden aircraft could make such an impression. The Albatross had no peers in elegance thanks to his outstanding aerodynamic design.

The first flight of the prototype was made on May 20, 1937. It did not enter service with Imperial Airways Ltd. until November 1938 and it was not met with too many positive criticisms. In many ways the de Havilland DH91 Albatross was an outstanding aerodynamic design, and in particular the method of fuselage construction was a completely novel in its day. The DH91 Albatross would eventually disappear from the skies in July 1943, but its story is worthwhile telling.